Bruce Springsteen is my favorite rock artist and my favorite concert performer of all time. If you’re a fan, you might want to pick up his new autobiography, 67 years in the making, called, appropriately, “Born To Run.” The 500-page book, which actually took him seven years to complete, is now available worldwide. Presale purchases already placed the memoir on the New York Times bestseller list.
There are a number of book reviews found online now, including this one by the Chicago Tribune. So, I’ll summarize, since I haven’t purchased the book yet, let alone had time to read it.
Sounds like Springsteen, like many of the rock stars of the Baby Boom Generation, was inspired by Elvis and The Beatles. He rose to the top of the bar band scene in Asbury Park on the shores of Jersey, despite his vocal shortcomings. He writes that 50 years ago when he fronted an early band, The Castiles, he “was considered toxic in front of a microphone,” because of his voice and – at that time – under confidence.
Springsteen had a bad dad, Doug, a factory worker who drank too much and cared little about him. Not sure if he ever truly made peace with that troubled relationship. He writes honestly of his troubles with his first wife, the actress Julianne Phillips. He takes the blame for the divorce. He loves his E Street Band mates, but cut them off after the wildly successful Born in the USA album and tour before bringing them back years later. For a guy who seemingly has everything, he writes that he’s battled depression all his life.
It’s a can’t miss for fans of The Boss, who turned 67 last Friday and was the lone guest on The Late Show with Stephan Colbert. Here’s a clip of that appearance below.
Doc Watson
